Are you Recycling your Fluorescent Lamps?

Did you know that fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps all contain mercury? 

Yes, fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps and HID lamps are very efficient and are for the greater good of the Earth's future; they reduce energy consumption and save you money.  But, they must be recycled or disposed of professionally because they contain mercury.

In California all Fluorescent Lamps must be Recycled as of February 8th, 2006

On February 8th, 2006 a bill was passed that said all fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded because they contain mercury.  (Title 22, division 4.5, chapter 11, section 66261.50)

These lamps must be recycled and disposed of correctly

• Fluorescent Tubes
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

Every time a mercury-containing lamp is disposed of in the regular trash and picked up for disposal, the lamps or tubes are broken and the mercury in them is released in to the environment.  These mercury vapors from the lamps can be absorbed through the lungs and bloodstream.  Mercury from broken lamps can also be washed into our rain water and eventually our public waterways.

The effects of mercury poisoning are felt in the nervous system, endocrine, kidneys and other vital organs.  Heavy exposure can lead to brain damage or ultimately death. 

Effective July 12, 2005 New York began prohibiting mercury containing lamps from being discarded.

Where should you recycle your Mercury-Containing Lamps?

The recycling of mercury-containing lamps is not as popular as it should be.  Of the 670 million lamps discarded last year only 156 million are being recycled.  There are some places that you can bring your lamps to and you can find those locations from the State Lamp Recycling Regulations and Contacts.

If you do not live close enough to a Lamp Recycling facility then EasyPak can pick them up for you and show you exactly how to begin.

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